The Account of King Satyasandha

Verse 1 (skanda.6.125.1)

सूत उवाच । ततः कर्णोत्पलातीर्थं विख्यातं चास्ति शोभनम् । यत्र स्नातो नरः सम्यङ्न वियोगमवाप्नुयात्

sūta uvāca tataḥ karṇotpalātīrthaṁ vikhyātaṁ cāsti śobhanam yatra snāto naraḥ samyaṅna viyogamavāpnuyāt

Suta said: Thereafter there is a renowned and beautiful tirtha called Karnotpala, where a man who bathes properly never suffers separation from his loved ones.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.125.2)

कथंचिदपि चेष्टेन धनेनालिजनेन च । पराक्रमेण धर्मेण कलत्रेण विशेषतः

kathaṁcidapi ceṣṭena dhanenālijanena ca parākrameṇa dharmeṇa kalatreṇa viśeṣataḥ

Whether it be through any effort at all — through wealth, through friends, through valor, through dharma, and especially through one's wife — it never allows separation.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.125.3)

सत्यसंध इति ख्यातः पुरासीत्पृथिवीपतिः । इक्ष्वाकुकुलसंभूतः सर्वरूपगुणैर्युतः

satyasaṁdha iti khyātaḥ purāsītpṛthivīpatiḥ ikṣvākukulasaṁbhūtaḥ sarvarūpaguṇairyutaḥ

In ancient times there was a king renowned by the name Satyasandha, born in the lineage of Ikshvaku, endowed with every excellent form and virtue.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.125.4)

तस्य कर्णोत्पलानाम जाता कन्या सुशोभना । बहुपुत्रस्य चैका सा सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता

tasya karṇotpalānāma jātā kanyā suśobhanā bahuputrasya caikā sā sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitā

Among his many sons, one most beautiful daughter was also born to him, named Karnotpala, endowed with every auspicious mark.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.125.5)

अथ तस्याः पिता नाम चक्रे द्वादशमे दिने । संमंत्र्य ब्राह्मणैः सार्धं भृत्यामात्यैर्मुहुर्मुहुः

atha tasyāḥ pitā nāma cakre dvādaśame dine saṁmaṁtrya brāhmaṇaiḥ sārdhaṁ bhṛtyāmātyairmuhurmuhuḥ

Then, on the twelfth day, her father performed her naming ceremony, consulting repeatedly with the brahmins and with his servants and ministers.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.125.6)

यस्मात्कर्णोत्पला चेयं जाता मम कुमारिका । तस्मात्कर्णोत्पलानाम जाता कन्या सुशोभना

yasmātkarṇotpalā ceyaṁ jātā mama kumārikā tasmātkarṇotpalānāma jātā kanyā suśobhanā

"Since this daughter of mine has been born like a lotus at the ear, let this beautiful maiden be known as born under the name 'Karnotpala'."

Verse 7 (skanda.6.125.7)

बहु पुत्रस्य चैका सा सर्वलक्षणलक्षिता । तस्मात्कर्णोत्पलानाम जायतां द्विजसत्तमाः

bahu putrasya caikā sā sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitā tasmātkarṇotpalānāma jāyatāṁ dvijasattamāḥ

"Among many sons, this one alone is endowed with every auspicious mark; therefore, O excellent brahmins, let her be known by the name 'Karnotpala'."

Verse 8 (skanda.6.125.8)

कृतनामाऽथ सा बाला वृद्धिं याति दिनेदिने । आह्लादकारिणी नित्यं कला चांद्रमसी यथा

kṛtanāmā'tha sā bālā vṛddhiṁ yāti dinedine āhlādakāriṇī nityaṁ kalā cāṁdramasī yathā

Thus, having received her name, that girl grew day by day, ever delighting all like a digit of the moon.

Verse 9 (skanda.6.125.9)

अथ सा क्रमशः प्राप्ता यौवनं बंधुलालिता । हस्ताद्धस्तं प्रगच्छंती सर्वेषां द्विजसत्तमाः

atha sā kramaśaḥ prāptā yauvanaṁ baṁdhulālitā hastāddhastaṁ pragacchaṁtī sarveṣāṁ dvijasattamāḥ

Then, gradually, she attained youth, doted upon by her kinsmen, O excellent brahmins, passing from hand to hand in everyone's praise.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.125.10)

अथ तां यौवनोपेतां दृष्ट्वा स पृथिवीपतिः । चिंतयामास चित्तेन कस्येमां प्रददाम्यहम्

atha tāṁ yauvanopetāṁ dṛṣṭvā sa pṛthivīpatiḥ ciṁtayāmāsa cittena kasyemāṁ pradadāmyaham

Then, seeing her come of age, that lord of the earth thought within his mind, "To whom shall I give her?"

Verse 11 (skanda.6.125.11)

न तस्याः सदृशः कश्चिद्वरोऽत्र धरणीतले । न स्वर्गे न च पाताले किं कृत्यं मेऽधुना भवेत्

na tasyāḥ sadṛśaḥ kaścidvaro'tra dharaṇītale na svarge na ca pātāle kiṁ kṛtyaṁ me'dhunā bhavet

"There is no suitor on this earth equal to her, neither in heaven nor in the netherworld — what should I do now?"

Verse 12 (skanda.6.125.12)

स एवं बहुधा ध्यात्वा तदर्थं पृथिवीपतिः । निश्चयं प्राकरोच्चित्ते प्रष्टव्योऽत्र पितामहः

sa evaṁ bahudhā dhyātvā tadarthaṁ pṛthivīpatiḥ niścayaṁ prākaroccitte praṣṭavyo'tra pitāmahaḥ

Thus, pondering that matter repeatedly, that lord of the earth resolved in his mind that he must ask the Grandsire Brahma himself in this matter.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.125.13)

मयाद्य विषये चास्मिन्स देवः प्रेरयिष्यति । तस्मै पुत्रीं प्रदास्यामि नान्यस्मै वै कथंचन

mayādya viṣaye cāsminsa devaḥ prerayiṣyati tasmai putrīṁ pradāsyāmi nānyasmai vai kathaṁcana

"Today, whomever that god directs in this matter, to him alone shall I give my daughter, never to anyone else."

Verse 14 (skanda.6.125.14)

स एवं निश्चयं कृत्वा तामादाय ततः परम् । ब्रह्मलोकं जगामाथ प्रष्टुं तस्याः कृते वरम्

sa evaṁ niścayaṁ kṛtvā tāmādāya tataḥ param brahmalokaṁ jagāmātha praṣṭuṁ tasyāḥ kṛte varam

Having resolved thus, taking her with him, he then went to Brahmaloka to ask for a suitable groom on her behalf.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.125.15)

अथ यावत्स संप्राप्तो ब्रह्मलोकं नरेश्वरः । तावत्संध्या समुत्पन्ना ब्राह्मी ब्राह्मणसत्तमाः

atha yāvatsa saṁprāpto brahmalokaṁ nareśvaraḥ tāvatsaṁdhyā samutpannā brāhmī brāhmaṇasattamāḥ

By the time that lord of men reached Brahmaloka, O excellent brahmins, the divine evening twilight had already arisen there.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.125.16)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे ब्रह्मा सायंतनक्रियोत्सुकः । उपविष्टः समाधिस्थस्तत्कालं समपद्यत

etasminnaṁtare brahmā sāyaṁtanakriyotsukaḥ upaviṣṭaḥ samādhisthastatkālaṁ samapadyata

Meanwhile Brahma, eager for the evening rites, sitting there, fell into deep meditative absorption.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.125.17)

सत्यसंधोऽपि तं दृष्ट्वा समाधिस्थं पितामहम् । समाध्यंतं प्रतीक्षन्स उपविष्टः समीपतः

satyasaṁdho'pi taṁ dṛṣṭvā samādhisthaṁ pitāmaham samādhyaṁtaṁ pratīkṣansa upaviṣṭaḥ samīpataḥ

Satyasandha too, seeing the Grandsire absorbed in samadhi, sat down nearby, waiting for the end of his meditation.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.125.18)

ततो विलोक्य चात्मानमात्मनि प्रपितामहः । पद्मे प्रवर्तिते सम्यगष्टपत्रे हृदि स्थिते

tato vilokya cātmānamātmani prapitāmahaḥ padme pravartite samyagaṣṭapatre hṛdi sthite

Then that great-grandsire beheld himself within himself — in an eight-petaled lotus manifest in his heart,

Verse 19 (skanda.6.125.19)

कर्णिकामध्यगं दीप्तं बहुवर्णमतिस्थिरम् । आनंदाश्रुपरिक्लिन्नवदनः पुलकांकितः

karṇikāmadhyagaṁ dīptaṁ bahuvarṇamatisthiram ānaṁdāśrupariklinnavadanaḥ pulakāṁkitaḥ

situated in the midst of its pericarp, radiant, of many colors, most steadfast — beholding which his face grew wet with tears of joy and his body thrilled with rapture.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.125.20)

तत आचम्य प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ सर्वतोदिशम् । अपश्यत्प्रणतः सर्वैर्ब्रह्मलोकनिवासिभिः

tata ācamya prakṣālya caraṇau sarvatodiśam apaśyatpraṇataḥ sarvairbrahmalokanivāsibhiḥ

Thereafter, having sipped water and washed his feet toward every direction, he was beheld, bowed to by all the dwellers of Brahmaloka.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.125.21)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे राजा तामादाय शुभाननाम् । नमस्कृत्य तया सार्धं ततः प्रोवाच सादरम्

etasminnaṁtare rājā tāmādāya śubhānanām namaskṛtya tayā sārdhaṁ tataḥ provāca sādaram

Meanwhile that king, taking his auspicious-faced daughter with him, having bowed, together with her spoke respectfully.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.125.22)

अहं देव समायातो मर्त्यलोकात्तवांतिकम् । सत्यसंधो महीपाल आनर्त भुवि विश्रुतः

ahaṁ deva samāyāto martyalokāttavāṁtikam satyasaṁdho mahīpāla ānarta bhuvi viśrutaḥ

"O god, I have come to your presence from the mortal world; I am the king named Satyasandha, renowned in the land of Anarta."

Verse 23 (skanda.6.125.23)

इयं कर्णोत्पलानाम मम कन्या सुशोभना । अस्या भुवि मया लब्धो न समोऽत्र पतिः क्वचित्

iyaṁ karṇotpalānāma mama kanyā suśobhanā asyā bhuvi mayā labdho na samo'tra patiḥ kvacit

"This beautiful daughter of mine is named Karnotpala; on this earth I have found nowhere a groom equal to her."

Verse 24 (skanda.6.125.24)

सदृशस्तेन चायातस्तव पार्श्वे सुरोत्तम । तस्मान्मे ब्रूहि भर्त्तारमस्या येन ददाम्यहम्

sadṛśastena cāyātastava pārśve surottama tasmānme brūhi bharttāramasyā yena dadāmyaham

"Therefore, in search of an equal suitor, I have come here to you, O best of gods; therefore tell me a husband for her, to whom I may give her."

Verse 25 (skanda.6.125.25)

सूत उवाच । तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा ततः प्रोवाच पद्मजः । विहस्य सर्वदेवानां समाजे द्विजसत्तमाः

sūta uvāca tasya tadvacanaṁ śrutvā tataḥ provāca padmajaḥ vihasya sarvadevānāṁ samāje dvijasattamāḥ

Suta said: Hearing his words, O excellent brahmins, then the lotus-born Brahma, smiling, in the assembly of all the gods, spoke.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.125.26)

यदि पृच्छसि मे भूप कन्याधर्मपतिं प्रति । तन्नैषा कस्यचिद्देया सांप्रतं शृणु कारणम्

yadi pṛcchasi me bhūpa kanyādharmapatiṁ prati tannaiṣā kasyaciddeyā sāṁprataṁ śṛṇu kāraṇam

"O king, if you ask me about a rightful husband for this maiden, she is now fit to be given to no one; hear the reason."

Verse 27 (skanda.6.125.27)

आत्मश्रेणिप्रसूताय वयोज्येष्ठाय भूपते । कन्या देया च धर्माय यशसे कुलवृद्धये

ātmaśreṇiprasūtāya vayojyeṣṭhāya bhūpate kanyā deyā ca dharmāya yaśase kulavṛddhaye

"O king, a daughter should be given only to one born of one's own rank and elder in age — for dharma, for fame, and for the increase of one's lineage."

Verse 28 (skanda.6.125.28)

सेयं तव सुता मर्त्ये ज्येष्ठभावं समाश्रिता । सर्वेषां भूमिपालानां यत्तत्त्वं कारणं शृणु

seyaṁ tava sutā martye jyeṣṭhabhāvaṁ samāśritā sarveṣāṁ bhūmipālānāṁ yattattvaṁ kāraṇaṁ śṛṇu

"This daughter of yours has now attained, in the mortal world, the status of eldest among all the kings there; hear the true reason for this."

Verse 29 (skanda.6.125.29)

ममांतिकं प्रपन्नस्य तव जातं युगत्रयम् । अतीता भूतले मर्त्या ये दृष्टाः प्राक्त्वया नृप

mamāṁtikaṁ prapannasya tava jātaṁ yugatrayam atītā bhūtale martyā ye dṛṣṭāḥ prāktvayā nṛpa

"Since you came into my presence, three ages have passed for you; whatever mortals you saw before on the surface of the earth have all passed away."

Verse 30 (skanda.6.125.30)

अन्या सृष्टिः समुत्पन्ना सांप्रतं धरणीतले । न त्वं जानासि माहात्म्यान्मम लोकसमुद्भवात्

anyā sṛṣṭiḥ samutpannā sāṁprataṁ dharaṇītale na tvaṁ jānāsi māhātmyānmama lokasamudbhavāt

"A different creation has now arisen on the surface of the earth; you do not know the greatness that comes from the origin of my world."

Verse 31 (skanda.6.125.31)

न देवा मानुषीं भार्यां कुर्वन्ति च कथंचन । श्लेष्ममूत्रपुरीषाणां संस्थानं या विगर्हिता

na devā mānuṣīṁ bhāryāṁ kurvanti ca kathaṁcana śleṣmamūtrapurīṣāṇāṁ saṁsthānaṁ yā vigarhitā

"The gods never, in any way, take a human woman as a wife, for the human body is but a despised vessel of phlegm, urine, and excrement."

Verse 32 (skanda.6.125.32)

तस्मादत्रैव तिष्ठ त्वं सुतया सहितो नृप । हस्त्यश्वादि च यत्किंचित्तत्सर्वं ते क्षयं गतम्

tasmādatraiva tiṣṭha tvaṁ sutayā sahito nṛpa hastyaśvādi ca yatkiṁcittatsarvaṁ te kṣayaṁ gatam

"Therefore, O king, remain here together with your daughter; whatever elephants, horses and the like you once possessed have all now perished."

Verse 33 (skanda.6.125.33)

पुत्राः पौत्रास्तथा भृत्या ये चान्ये बांधवास्तव । ते सर्वे निधनं प्राप्ता ये चान्ये भवतेक्षिताः

putrāḥ pautrāstathā bhṛtyā ye cānye bāṁdhavāstava te sarve nidhanaṁ prāptā ye cānye bhavatekṣitāḥ

"Your sons, grandsons, servants, and whatever other kinsmen you had have all met death, as have those others who once beheld you."

Verse 34 (skanda.6.125.34)

स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय स्थितः पार्थिवसत्तमः । यावत्तावत्सुदुःखार्ता रुदतीसाऽब्रवीत्सुता

sa tatheti pratijñāya sthitaḥ pārthivasattamaḥ yāvattāvatsuduḥkhārtā rudatīsā'bravītsutā

Saying, "So be it," that best of kings remained there; meanwhile his daughter, deeply distressed, weeping, spoke thus.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.125.35)

नाहं तात वसिष्यामि स्थानेस्मिन्ब्रह्मसंभवे । सखीजनपरित्यक्ता बंधुवर्गविनाकृता

nāhaṁ tāta vasiṣyāmi sthānesminbrahmasaṁbhave sakhījanaparityaktā baṁdhuvargavinākṛtā

"O father, I shall not dwell in this place born of Brahma, abandoned by my companions, deprived of the company of my kinsfolk."

Verse 36 (skanda.6.125.36)

तस्माद्यास्यामि तत्रैव यत्र सा जननी मम । ताश्च सख्यः कृतानंदा याभिः संक्रीडितं मया

tasmādyāsyāmi tatraiva yatra sā jananī mama tāśca sakhyaḥ kṛtānaṁdā yābhiḥ saṁkrīḍitaṁ mayā

"Therefore I shall go there itself, where my mother is, and those joyful friends with whom I used to play."

Verse 37 (skanda.6.125.37)

भर्त्रा विनाकृता नाहं नयिष्ये कालसंस्थितिम् । तस्मात्तत्र द्रुतं गच्छ यत्र मे जननी स्थिता

bhartrā vinākṛtā nāhaṁ nayiṣye kālasaṁsthitim tasmāttatra drutaṁ gaccha yatra me jananī sthitā

"Without a husband I shall not spend the remainder of my time; therefore go quickly there where my mother is."

Verse 38 (skanda.6.125.38)

तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा स्नेहार्द्रेण स चेतसा । तामादाय ततः प्राप्तः स्वं देशं पार्थिवोत्तमः

tasyāstadvacanaṁ śrutvā snehārdreṇa sa cetasā tāmādāya tataḥ prāptaḥ svaṁ deśaṁ pārthivottamaḥ

Hearing her words, his heart softened with affection, that best of kings, taking her with him, thereupon reached his own land.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.125.39)

यावत्पश्यति तावत्स स्थलस्थाने जलाशयान् । जलस्थानेषु संजाताः स्थलसंघाः सुदुर्गमाः

yāvatpaśyati tāvatsa sthalasthāne jalāśayān jalasthāneṣu saṁjātāḥ sthalasaṁghāḥ sudurgamāḥ

Wherever he looked, ponds had appeared where dry land had been, and impassable stretches of land had arisen where there had once been water.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.125.40)

अन्ये लोकास्तथा धर्मास्तेषां मध्ये व्यवस्थिताः । पृच्छन्नपि न जानाति संबंधं केनचित्सह

anye lokāstathā dharmāsteṣāṁ madhye vyavasthitāḥ pṛcchannapi na jānāti saṁbaṁdhaṁ kenacitsaha

Among them other peoples and other customs had become established; even upon asking, he could recognize no connection with anyone at all.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.125.41)

तथा मर्त्यानिलस्पृष्टन्द्यतत्त्कणात्स महीपतिः । सा च कन्या जराग्रस्ता संजाता श्वेतमूर्द्धजा

tathā martyānilaspṛṣṭandyatattkaṇātsa mahīpatiḥ sā ca kanyā jarāgrastā saṁjātā śvetamūrddhajā

Then, at that very instant, touched by the wind of that mortal world, both the king and that maiden were seized by old age, their hair turned white,

Verse 42 (skanda.6.125.42)

वलिभिः पूर्णितांगी च शीर्णदंता कुचच्युता । अमनोज्ञा विरूपांगी चिपिटाक्षी द्विजोत्तमाः

valibhiḥ pūrṇitāṁgī ca śīrṇadaṁtā kucacyutā amanojñā virūpāṁgī cipiṭākṣī dvijottamāḥ

her body became filled with wrinkles, her teeth decayed, her breasts sagged — O excellent brahmins, she became most unpleasing, of deformed limbs, and with flattened eyes.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.125.43)

सोपि राजा तथाभूतो वेपमानः पदेपदे । पप्रच्छ भूपतिः कोत्र देशः कोयं पुरं च किम्

sopi rājā tathābhūto vepamānaḥ padepade papraccha bhūpatiḥ kotra deśaḥ koyaṁ puraṁ ca kim

That king, too, having reached this state, trembling at every step, asked, "What land is this? What is this city? What is this place?"

Verse 44 (skanda.6.125.44)

अथ प्रोचुर्जनास्तस्य देश आनर्त इत्ययम् । अयं भूपोत्र विख्यातः सुधर्मज्ञो बृहद्बलः

atha procurjanāstasya deśa ānarta ityayam ayaṁ bhūpotra vikhyātaḥ sudharmajño bṛhadbalaḥ

Then the people there told him, "This land is known by the name Anarta; the renowned righteous king here is Brihadbala."

Verse 45 (skanda.6.125.45)

एतत्प्राप्तिपुरंनाम एषा साभ्रमती नदी । गर्तातीर्थमिदं पुण्यमेतस्याः परिकीर्तितम्

etatprāptipuraṁnāma eṣā sābhramatī nadī gartātīrthamidaṁ puṇyametasyāḥ parikīrtitam

"This city is known by the name 'Praptipura', and this is the river Sabhramati; belonging to it, this sacred Gartatirtha is renowned."

Verse 46 (skanda.6.125.46)

यत्रैते मुनयः शांता दांताश्चाष्टगुणे रताः । तपरता महाभागाः स्नानजप्ययपरायणाः

yatraite munayaḥ śāṁtā dāṁtāścāṣṭaguṇe ratāḥ taparatā mahābhāgāḥ snānajapyayaparāyaṇāḥ

"where peaceful, self-controlled sages, devoted to the eight virtues, engaged in austerity, most fortunate, are ever intent on bathing and japa."

Verse 47 (skanda.6.125.47)

ततः स तु समाकर्ण्य रुरोद कृतनिःस्वनः । स्वसुतां तां समालिंग्य दुःखशोकसमन्वितः

tataḥ sa tu samākarṇya ruroda kṛtaniḥsvanaḥ svasutāṁ tāṁ samāliṁgya duḥkhaśokasamanvitaḥ

Hearing all this, he began to weep aloud, and, embracing his daughter, was overcome with grief and sorrow.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.125.48)

तौ च वृद्धतमौ दृष्ट्वा रुदतौ कृपयान्विताः । सर्वे लोकाः समाजग्मुः पप्रच्छुश्च सुदुःखिताः

tau ca vṛddhatamau dṛṣṭvā rudatau kṛpayānvitāḥ sarve lokāḥ samājagmuḥ papracchuśca suduḥkhitāḥ

Seeing those two, deeply aged, weeping, all the people, filled with compassion, gathered there and, greatly distressed, began to ask.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.125.49)

किं त्वं वृद्ध सुदुःखार्तः प्ररोदिषि निरर्गलम् । अनया वृद्धया सार्धं तस्मान्नः कारणं वद

kiṁ tvaṁ vṛddha suduḥkhārtaḥ prarodiṣi nirargalam anayā vṛddhayā sārdhaṁ tasmānnaḥ kāraṇaṁ vada

"O old man, why do you weep without ceasing, so tormented by distress, together with this old woman? Tell us the reason."

Verse 50 (skanda.6.125.50)

किं ते नष्टः प्रियः कश्चित्किं वा जातो धनक्षयः । पराभूतोसि वा किं त्वं केनापि वद मा चिरम्

kiṁ te naṣṭaḥ priyaḥ kaścitkiṁ vā jāto dhanakṣayaḥ parābhūtosi vā kiṁ tvaṁ kenāpi vada mā ciram

"Has some loved one of yours been lost, or has your wealth been destroyed? Or have you been defeated by someone? Tell us without delay."

Verse 51 (skanda.6.125.51)

धर्मज्ञो दुष्टहंता च साधूनां पालने रतः । राजा बृहद्बलोस्माकं येन ते कुरुते सुखम्

dharmajño duṣṭahaṁtā ca sādhūnāṁ pālane rataḥ rājā bṛhadbalosmākaṁ yena te kurute sukham

"Our king Brihadbala is versed in dharma, a destroyer of the wicked, devoted to protecting the virtuous — he alone will grant you comfort."

Verse 52 (skanda.6.125.52)

सत्यसंध उवाच । आनर्त्ताधिपतिश्चाहं सत्यसंध इति स्मृतः । मम कर्णोत्पलानाम सुतेयं दयिता सदा । सोहमस्याः प्रदानार्थं ब्रह्मलोकमितो गतः । प्रष्टुं पितामहं देवं स्थितस्तत्र मुहूर्तवत्

satyasaṁdha uvāca ānarttādhipatiścāhaṁ satyasaṁdha iti smṛtaḥ mama karṇotpalānāma suteyaṁ dayitā sadā sohamasyāḥ pradānārthaṁ brahmalokamito gataḥ praṣṭuṁ pitāmahaṁ devaṁ sthitastatra muhūrtavat

Satyasandha said: "I am the lord of Anarta, remembered by the name Satyasandha. This is my ever-beloved daughter, named Karnotpala. It was only for the sake of giving her in marriage that I went from here to Brahmaloka, and I remained there, to ask the divine Grandsire, but a mere moment."

Verse 53 (skanda.6.125.53)

ततो भूयः समायातो यावत्पश्यामि भूतलम् । तावद्विलोमतां प्राप्तं सर्वं नो वेद्मि किञ्चन

tato bhūyaḥ samāyāto yāvatpaśyāmi bhūtalam tāvadvilomatāṁ prāptaṁ sarvaṁ no vedmi kiñcana

"Thereafter I returned once more, but the moment I looked upon the earth, I found everything utterly reversed — I now know nothing at all."

Verse 54 (skanda.6.125.54)

तच्छ्रुत्वा ते जना गत्वा विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः । बृहद्बलाय तत्सर्वमाचख्युस्तुष्टिसंयुताः

tacchrutvā te janā gatvā vismayotphullalocanāḥ bṛhadbalāya tatsarvamācakhyustuṣṭisaṁyutāḥ

Hearing this, those people, their eyes wide with astonishment, went and joyfully related the entire account to Brihadbala.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.125.55)

सोऽपि तत्सर्वमाकर्ण्य ततः शीघ्रतरं गतः । पद्भ्यामेव स्थितो यत्र सत्यसन्धो महीपतिः

so'pi tatsarvamākarṇya tataḥ śīghrataraṁ gataḥ padbhyāmeva sthito yatra satyasandho mahīpatiḥ

Hearing all this, he too went very swiftly, on foot alone, to where King Satyasandha stood.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.125.56)

ततस्तं प्रणिपत्योच्चैः कृतांजलिपुटः स्थितः । स्वागतं ते महीपाल भूयः सुस्वागतं च ते

tatastaṁ praṇipatyoccaiḥ kṛtāṁjalipuṭaḥ sthitaḥ svāgataṁ te mahīpāla bhūyaḥ susvāgataṁ ca te

Thereupon, bowing to him loudly, standing with folded hands, he said, "O king, welcome — welcome once more, most warmly, to you."

Verse 57 (skanda.6.125.57)

इदं राज्यं निजं भूयो मया भृत्येन सादरम् । कुरुष्व स्वेच्छया देहि दानानि विविधानि च

idaṁ rājyaṁ nijaṁ bhūyo mayā bhṛtyena sādaram kuruṣva svecchayā dehi dānāni vividhāni ca

"This kingdom is your very own — I, your servant, respectfully offer it back to you once more; govern it as you wish, and bestow various gifts."

Verse 58 (skanda.6.125.58)

ततस्तं च समालिंग्य शिरस्याधाय चासकृत् । उवाचाश्रुपरिक्लिन्नवदनो गद्गदाक्षरम्

tatastaṁ ca samāliṁgya śirasyādhāya cāsakṛt uvācāśrupariklinnavadano gadgadākṣaram

Thereupon, embracing him, placing him again and again upon his own head, with a face wet with tears, in a choked voice, he said.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.125.59)

वत्स चीर्णं मया राज्यं दानं दत्तं पृथग्विधम् । वाजिमेधमुखैर्यज्ञैरिष्टं संपूर्णदक्षिणैः

vatsa cīrṇaṁ mayā rājyaṁ dānaṁ dattaṁ pṛthagvidham vājimedhamukhairyajñairiṣṭaṁ saṁpūrṇadakṣiṇaiḥ

"O child, I have ruled the kingdom, given manifold gifts, and performed sacrifices headed by the Ashvamedha, complete with full sacrificial fees."

Verse 60 (skanda.6.125.60)

तस्मात्तपश्चरिष्यामि सुतया चानया सह । यथैषा लभते भूयस्तारुण्यं प्राक्तनं शुभम्

tasmāttapaścariṣyāmi sutayā cānayā saha yathaiṣā labhate bhūyastāruṇyaṁ prāktanaṁ śubham

"Therefore I shall now perform austerities together with this daughter, so that she may again attain her former, auspicious youth."

Verse 61 (skanda.6.125.61)

बृहद्बल उवाच । पारंपर्येण राजेंद्र मयैतत्सकलं श्रुतम् । सत्यसंधो महीपालः कन्यामादाय निर्गतः

bṛhadbala uvāca pāraṁparyeṇa rājeṁdra mayaitatsakalaṁ śrutam satyasaṁdho mahīpālaḥ kanyāmādāya nirgataḥ

Brihadbala said: "O king of kings, I have heard all this through family tradition — that King Satyasandha departed from here, taking his daughter with him."

Verse 62 (skanda.6.125.62)

कुत्रचिन्न समायातः स भूयोऽपि पुरोत्तमे । ततस्तत्सचिवै राज्यं प्रतिपाल्य चिरं नृप । अभिषिक्तस्ततः पुत्रः सुहयोनाम विश्रुतः

kutracinna samāyātaḥ sa bhūyo'pi purottame tatastatsacivai rājyaṁ pratipālya ciraṁ nṛpa abhiṣiktastataḥ putraḥ suhayonāma viśrutaḥ

"He never again returned to this excellent city. Thereafter his ministers protected the kingdom for a very long time, O king, and then his son, renowned by the name Suhaya, was crowned."

Verse 63 (skanda.6.125.63)

तस्याहं क्रमशो जातः सप्तसप्ततिमो विभो । पुरुषस्तव वंशस्य समुद्भूतो महापतिः

tasyāhaṁ kramaśo jātaḥ saptasaptatimo vibho puruṣastava vaṁśasya samudbhūto mahāpatiḥ

"O lord, from him, in succession, I have arisen as the seventy-seventh great king of your very own lineage."

Verse 64 (skanda.6.125.64)

तस्मादत्रैव कल्याणे स्थानेऽस्मिन्मेध्यतां गते । गर्तातीर्थे कुरु विभो तपस्त्वमनया सह

tasmādatraiva kalyāṇe sthāne'sminmedhyatāṁ gate gartātīrthe kuru vibho tapastvamanayā saha

"Therefore, O lord, in this very auspicious place, now become fully purified, perform austerities at Gartatirtha, together with her,"

Verse 65 (skanda.6.125.65)

येन ते चरणौ नित्यं प्रणिपत्य त्रिसंधिजम् । श्रेयः प्राप्नोम्यसंदिग्धं प्रसादः क्रियतामिति

yena te caraṇau nityaṁ praṇipatya trisaṁdhijam śreyaḥ prāpnomyasaṁdigdhaṁ prasādaḥ kriyatāmiti

"so that I, ever bowing at your feet at the three junctures of the day, may attain welfare without doubt — please grant this favor."

Verse 66 (skanda.6.125.66)

सत्यसंध उवाच । हाटकेश्वरजे क्षेत्रे मयासीत्स्थापितं पुरा । लिंगं वृषभनाथस्य तावदस्ति सुपुत्रक

satyasaṁdha uvāca hāṭakeśvaraje kṣetre mayāsītsthāpitaṁ purā liṁgaṁ vṛṣabhanāthasya tāvadasti suputraka

Satyasandha said: "In the field of Hatakeshvara I had, in former times, established a linga of the Bull-lord [Shiva], which still exists to this day, my dear son."

Verse 67 (skanda.6.125.67)

तत्तस्याराधनं नित्यं करिष्यामि दिवानिशम् । तस्मात्प्रापय मां तत्र अनया सुतया सह

tattasyārādhanaṁ nityaṁ kariṣyāmi divāniśam tasmātprāpaya māṁ tatra anayā sutayā saha

"I shall worship him there daily, day and night; therefore convey me there, together with this daughter of mine."

Verse 68 (skanda.6.125.68)

एवं तयोः प्रवदतोरन्योन्यं भूमिपालयोः । गर्त्तातीर्थात्समायाता ब्राह्मणाः कौतुकान्विताः । श्रुत्वा भूमिपतिं प्राप्तं चिरंतनगुरुं शुभम्

evaṁ tayoḥ pravadatoranyonyaṁ bhūmipālayoḥ garttātīrthātsamāyātā brāhmaṇāḥ kautukānvitāḥ śrutvā bhūmipatiṁ prāptaṁ ciraṁtanaguruṁ śubham

As the two kings thus conversed with one another, brahmins, having come from Gartatirtha out of curiosity, hearing that their ancient, auspicious lord had arrived,

Verse 69 (skanda.6.125.69)

ततः स पार्थिवस्तेषां दत्त्वार्घं प्रांजलिः स्थितः । प्रोवाच स्वर्गवृत्तांतमास्यतामिति सादरम्

tataḥ sa pārthivasteṣāṁ dattvārghaṁ prāṁjaliḥ sthitaḥ provāca svargavṛttāṁtamāsyatāmiti sādaram

then that king, having offered them the guest-offering, standing with folded hands, respectfully said, "Please be seated, all of you."

Verse 70 (skanda.6.125.70)

अथ ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे यथाज्येष्ठं यथासुखम् । उपविष्टा नरेंद्रस्य चतुर्दिक्षु सुविस्मिताः । पप्रच्छुस्तं च भूपालं वार्तां ब्रह्मगृहोद्भवाम्

atha te brāhmaṇāḥ sarve yathājyeṣṭhaṁ yathāsukham upaviṣṭā nareṁdrasya caturdikṣu suvismitāḥ papracchustaṁ ca bhūpālaṁ vārtāṁ brahmagṛhodbhavām

Thereafter all those brahmins, seated in order of seniority and comfort on the four sides of the king, greatly astonished, began to ask him about the news arising from Brahma's own abode.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.125.71)

यथा स तत्र निर्यात आगतश्च यथा पुरा । आलापाः पद्मयोनेश्च यथा जातास्त्वनेकशः

yathā sa tatra niryāta āgataśca yathā purā ālāpāḥ padmayoneśca yathā jātāstvanekaśaḥ

"How he had gone there and how he had returned as before, and the various conversations that took place, again and again, with the lotus-born one."

Verse 72 (skanda.6.125.72)

ततः कथांतमासाद्य सत्यसंधो महीपतिः । किंचिदासाद्य तं प्राह समीपस्थं बृहद्बलम्

tataḥ kathāṁtamāsādya satyasaṁdho mahīpatiḥ kiṁcidāsādya taṁ prāha samīpasthaṁ bṛhadbalam

Thereafter, having reached the end of the tale, King Satyasandha, drawing a little closer, spoke to Brihadbala, who sat nearby.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.125.73)

मया इष्टं मखैश्चित्रैरनेकैर्भूरिदक्षिणैः । दानानि च विचित्राणि येषां संख्या न विद्यते

mayā iṣṭaṁ makhaiścitrairanekairbhūridakṣiṇaiḥ dānāni ca vicitrāṇi yeṣāṁ saṁkhyā na vidyate

"I have performed sacrifice with many wondrous rites, with abundant fees, and have given countless various gifts, the number of which is unknown."

Verse 74 (skanda.6.125.74)

एकदाहं गतः पुत्र चमत्कारपुरोत्तमे । दृष्टं मया पुरं तच्च समंताद्ब्राह्मणैवृतम्

ekadāhaṁ gataḥ putra camatkārapurottame dṛṣṭaṁ mayā puraṁ tacca samaṁtādbrāhmaṇaivṛtam

"O son, once I went to the excellent city of Chamatkarapura; there I saw that city, entirely surrounded on all sides by brahmins,"

Verse 75 (skanda.6.125.75)

जपस्वाध्यायसंपन्नैरग्निहोत्रपरायणैः । गृहस्थधर्मसंपन्नैर्लोकद्वयफलान्वितैः

japasvādhyāyasaṁpannairagnihotraparāyaṇaiḥ gṛhasthadharmasaṁpannairlokadvayaphalānvitaiḥ

"who were accomplished in recitation and study, devoted to the sacred fire-rite, endowed with the duties of the householder, and possessed of the fruits of both worlds."

Verse 76 (skanda.6.125.76)

ततश्च चिंतितं चित्ते स वन्यो मम पूर्वजः । येनैषोपार्जिता कीर्तिः शाश्वती क्षयवर्जिता

tataśca ciṁtitaṁ citte sa vanyo mama pūrvajaḥ yenaiṣopārjitā kīrtiḥ śāśvatī kṣayavarjitā

"Then this thought arose in my mind — that it was that forest-dwelling ancestor of mine who acquired this everlasting, undiminishing fame."

Verse 77 (skanda.6.125.77)

तस्मादहमपि स्थाप्य पुरमीदृक्समुच्छ्रितम् । ब्राह्मणेभ्यः प्रदास्यामि तत्कीर्तिपरिवृद्धये

tasmādahamapi sthāpya puramīdṛksamucchritam brāhmaṇebhyaḥ pradāsyāmi tatkīrtiparivṛddhaye

"Therefore I too shall establish just such an exalted city and give it to the brahmins, that this fame may be further increased."

Verse 78 (skanda.6.125.78)

एवं चितयमानस्य मम नित्यं महीपते । अवांतरेण संजातं ब्रह्मलोकप्रयाणकम्

evaṁ citayamānasya mama nityaṁ mahīpate avāṁtareṇa saṁjātaṁ brahmalokaprayāṇakam

"Thus, O king, while I was ever thinking this, in the meantime my journey to Brahmaloka occurred."

Verse 79 (skanda.6.125.79)

एतदेकं हि मे चित्ते पश्चात्तापकरं स्थितम् । नान्यत्किंचिन्महीपाल कृतकृत्यस्य सर्वतः

etadekaṁ hi me citte paścāttāpakaraṁ sthitam nānyatkiṁcinmahīpāla kṛtakṛtyasya sarvataḥ

"This alone remains fixed in my mind as a cause of regret, O king; otherwise, having fulfilled all my purposes, I have no other concern from any quarter."

Verse 80 (skanda.6.125.80)

तस्मात्प्रार्थय विप्रेंद्रान्कांश्चिदेषां महात्मनाम् । येन यच्छामि सुस्थानं कृत्वा तेभ्यस्तवाज्ञया

tasmātprārthaya vipreṁdrānkāṁścideṣāṁ mahātmanām yena yacchāmi susthānaṁ kṛtvā tebhyastavājñayā

"Therefore request some of these great-souled foremost brahmins, so that, by your leave, I may build a fitting place and give it to them."

Verse 81 (skanda.6.125.81)

ततः स प्रार्थयामास तदर्थं ब्राह्मणोत्तमान् । ममोपरि दयां कृत्वा क्रियतां भोः परिग्रहः

tataḥ sa prārthayāmāsa tadarthaṁ brāhmaṇottamān mamopari dayāṁ kṛtvā kriyatāṁ bhoḥ parigrahaḥ

Thereupon he requested those excellent brahmins for that purpose: "Have compassion upon me, O revered ones, and accept this gift."

Verse 82 (skanda.6.125.82)

अस्य भूपस्य सद्भक्त्या यच्छतः पुरमुत्तमम् । अहं वः पालयिष्यामि सर्वे मद्वंशजाश्च ते

asya bhūpasya sadbhaktyā yacchataḥ puramuttamam ahaṁ vaḥ pālayiṣyāmi sarve madvaṁśajāśca te

"As for this excellent city being given by this king with true devotion — I shall protect all of you, and my own descendants as well."

Verse 83 (skanda.6.125.83)

ततः कांश्चित्सुकृच्छ्रेण समानीय बृहद्बलः । राज्ञे निवेदयामास एतेभ्यो दीयतामिति

tataḥ kāṁścitsukṛcchreṇa samānīya bṛhadbalaḥ rājñe nivedayāmāsa etebhyo dīyatāmiti

Thereupon Brihadbala, with great difficulty, having gathered some brahmins, reported to the king, "Let this be given to them."

Verse 84 (skanda.6.125.84)

ततः प्रक्षाल्य सर्वेषां पादान्स पृथिवीपतिः । सत्यसंधो ददौ तेभ्यः पुरार्थं भूमिमुत्तमाम्

tataḥ prakṣālya sarveṣāṁ pādānsa pṛthivīpatiḥ satyasaṁdho dadau tebhyaḥ purārthaṁ bhūmimuttamām

Thereupon, having washed the feet of all of them, that lord of the earth, Satyasandha, gave them an excellent land for the building of the city.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.125.85)

बृहद्बलस्य चादेशं ददौ संप्रस्थितः स्वयम् । त्वयैतद्योग्यतां नेयं पुरं परपुरंजय

bṛhadbalasya cādeśaṁ dadau saṁprasthitaḥ svayam tvayaitadyogyatāṁ neyaṁ puraṁ parapuraṁjaya

As he himself set out, he also gave this command to Brihadbala, "O conqueror of enemy cities, you alone shall bring this city to a fitting state."

Verse 86 (skanda.6.125.86)

गत्वा च स तया सार्धं तत्क्षेत्रं हाटकेश्वरम् । तल्लिंगं प्राप्य संहृष्टश्चिरं तेपे तपस्ततः

gatvā ca sa tayā sārdhaṁ tatkṣetraṁ hāṭakeśvaram talliṁgaṁ prāpya saṁhṛṣṭaściraṁ tepe tapastataḥ

Then, going together with that daughter to that field of Hatakeshvara, having attained that linga, greatly rejoicing, he performed austerities there for a long time thereafter.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.125.87)

सापि कर्णोत्पला प्राप्य किंचित्पुण्यं जलाशयम् । तपस्तेपे प्रतिष्ठाप्य गौरीं श्रद्धासमन्विता

sāpi karṇotpalā prāpya kiṁcitpuṇyaṁ jalāśayam tapastepe pratiṣṭhāpya gaurīṁ śraddhāsamanvitā

That Karnotpala too, having found a certain sacred pond, establishing Gauri there, performed austerities with devotion.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.125.88)

एतस्मिन्नंतरे राजा कालधर्ममुपागतः । आनर्ताधिपतिर्युद्धे हतः पुत्रैः समन्वितः

etasminnaṁtare rājā kāladharmamupāgataḥ ānartādhipatiryuddhe hataḥ putraiḥ samanvitaḥ

Meanwhile that king, the lord of Anarta, was slain in battle together with his sons and met his death.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.125.89)

ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे गर्तातीर्थसमुद्भवाः । सत्यसंधं समभ्येत्य प्रोचुर्दुःखसमन्विताः

tataste brāhmaṇāḥ sarve gartātīrthasamudbhavāḥ satyasaṁdhaṁ samabhyetya procurduḥkhasamanvitāḥ

Thereafter all those brahmins dwelling at Gartatirtha, approaching Satyasandha, spoke, filled with sorrow.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.125.90)

परिग्रहः कृतोऽस्माभिः केवलं पृथिवीपते । न च किंचित्फलं जातं वृत्तिजं नः पुरोद्भवम्

parigrahaḥ kṛto'smābhiḥ kevalaṁ pṛthivīpate na ca kiṁcitphalaṁ jātaṁ vṛttijaṁ naḥ purodbhavam

"O lord of the earth, we have merely accepted this gift, but no fruit at all has come to us in the form of livelihood arising from the city."

Verse 91 (skanda.6.125.91)

तस्मात्कुरु स्थितिं त्वं च स्वधर्मपरिवृद्धये । येन तद्वर्तनोपायो ह्यस्माकं नृपसत्तम

tasmātkuru sthitiṁ tvaṁ ca svadharmaparivṛddhaye yena tadvartanopāyo hyasmākaṁ nṛpasattama

"Therefore, O best of kings, establish for us such an arrangement for the increase of our own dharma, by which we may have some means of livelihood."

Verse 92 (skanda.6.125.92)

राजा बृहद्बलो युद्धे कालधर्ममुपागतः । यस्त्वया दर्शितोऽस्माकं वृत्त्यर्थं नृपसत्तम

rājā bṛhadbalo yuddhe kāladharmamupāgataḥ yastvayā darśito'smākaṁ vṛttyarthaṁ nṛpasattama

"King Brihadbala, who showed us this means of livelihood, O best of kings, has met his death in battle."

Verse 93 (skanda.6.125.93)

सत्यसन्ध उवाच । संन्यस्तोऽहं द्विजश्रेष्ठा वृत्तिं कर्तुं न च क्षमः । यदि मे स्यात्पुमान्कश्चिदन्वयेऽपि न संशयः

satyasandha uvāca saṁnyasto'haṁ dvijaśreṣṭhā vṛttiṁ kartuṁ na ca kṣamaḥ yadi me syātpumānkaścidanvaye'pi na saṁśayaḥ

Satyasandha said: "O excellent brahmins, I am now a renunciate, and I am no longer able to arrange for livelihoods; had I some male heir remaining in my lineage, it would without doubt be otherwise."

Verse 94 (skanda.6.125.94)

तस्माद्व्रजथ हर्म्यं स्वं प्रसादः क्रियतां मम । अभाग्यैर्भवदीयैश्च हतो राजा बृहद्बलः

tasmādvrajatha harmyaṁ svaṁ prasādaḥ kriyatāṁ mama abhāgyairbhavadīyaiśca hato rājā bṛhadbalaḥ

"Therefore go, all of you, to your own homes; grant me this favor — King Brihadbala was slain by your own misfortune, not by mine."

Verse 95 (skanda.6.125.95)

एवमुक्ताश्च ते विप्रा मत्वा तथ्यं च तद्वचः । स्वस्थानं त्वरिता जग्मुः सोऽपि चक्रे तपश्चिरम्

evamuktāśca te viprā matvā tathyaṁ ca tadvacaḥ svasthānaṁ tvaritā jagmuḥ so'pi cakre tapaściram

Thus addressed, those brahmins, considering his words to be true, quickly went to their own places; and he too continued performing austerities for a long time.